Aeroplane.



H. L., A. E. & H. O. SHORT.

AEROPLANE.

APPucATloN FILED Aue.25, 1915-.

Patented J an. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

H. L., A. E. & H. 0. SHORT.

AEROPLANE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.25| 1915.

1,167,943. A Patented .15.11.11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

S PAEN onion.

e A A SHORT, ALBERT EUSTACE SHORT, AND HUGH OSWALD SHORT, OF

BATTERSEAP'ARK. LONDON, ENGLAND.

, AEROPLANE. f

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, .1916.

Applicatoniled August 25, 19115. Serial'No. 47,382.

To all 'Pimm it may concern.'

Be it known that we. HORACE LEONARD Snom', ALBERT Ensim-ici: SHORT, and HUGH OswALn Snom, aeronautical engineers. lsuhjects of the King of Great Britain. all residing at 56 Prince of Tales Mansions,v

. chines wing spars are divided and have to he detachahly connected at such division. and the invention has particular reterence to machines in which the wings are con structed so as to fold into a position approximately parallel with the Jfuselage ot' the machine.' and in which one spar in each wing is t'ormed with a hinge joint. while the other spar is made to separate and to he connected together at the junction as aforesaid.

The invention has for its object. to provide ready means for connecting and disconnecting the sections of the spars. and in such a manner that although this is readily etlected when desired. yet the portions when connected are 4held together more securely than when joining means which have required more complicated fitting have heen hitherto employed.

According to this invention. the two portions ot the spar' to he .united are respectively formed or fitted with a pin projecting from the end ot one portion. and a socket on the end of the other portion. and the pin is Jformed with out-standing radial projections.I separatwl from one another circumferentially. which radial projections are admitted through correslnuiding recesses cutradially in thev socket. and which projections when passed within the socket. permit ot' secure attachment ot' one part with the other part when partial rotation is imparted either to the holt'or to the socket.

The shoulders ot the projections` are generally inclined. in order to tighten the junction of thc parts hy wedge action when they are moved relatively to each other in an angular direction about their axis.

'l`hc rotary motion limited. and the parts are locked in the necessary relative positions hy means of any locking device arranged exteriorly ot' the joint. in such a way that itmay he readily seen whether or not the joint haslieen fastened, without requil-ing close inspection in order to ascertain this fact.

Examplesofconstruct-ion (if the invention will now be described with reference to the accon'ipanying drawings.

Figures l to G show aconstruction wherein the taper pin on one part otl the structure has radial projections taking into recesses in the interior of an internal sleeve on the opposite part of thestructure.' Fig. l shows the end of the front spar ot'a wing in sectional elevation having the taper pin. and Fig. 2. is an end elevation of the same. `Fig. 3 shows. in sectional elevation. one end of a front center spa-r having therein the` locking sleeve to rece-ive the taper pin ot' Fig. l;

Fig. 4 shows inver-tical section the sleeve detached. andfFig. fris a transverse section on the line X-Y ot Fig. '-i. Fig. G shows the 'two parts ot' the structure brought together and secured. Fig. 7 shows. in vertical section. a construction where the projections on the taper pin pass entirely through the sleeve. Fig. 8 shows in sectional elevation. a construction where the sleeve engages the end of its member. such as the end of the Jfront center spar, externally. Figs. 9 vto 14 show a further modified 'construction ot the invent-ion. Fig. 9 being a sectional.elevation showing the two parts of the structure engaged. Fig. 1() an endwiew ot' the sleeve or socket into which the taper pin passes. Fig. 11 shows the two adjacent parts of the structure with the taper pin removed. Figs. 12 and 1.3 are views showing the taper pin detached. and Fig. il is a detached t'ace view of the lever employed for locking and unlocking the fastening. Fig. l5 shows a means for retaining the locking lever in position and controlling its motion. and Fig. lo shows in sectional elevation. a modified construction ot such .lever-retaining `means.

Heter-ring. to Figs.- 1 to o. the end of the. spar of the wing. say the front spar 1. is iitt-ed with a metal plug Q having a metal extension I3 extending to a required distance along the length oi the spar l.. and the end'otl the'plug is in this case lormed with a tapered pin -iz the pin if has t'ormed upon it a suitable numher oi`l segmental separated j'nojections D at a short distance trom the end face ot' lli) the plug 2, clearly shown in the end view at Fig. The opposite member 6, Fig. 3, which is one ofthe front center spars, is screw-threaded internally at its end to receive a sleeve 7 upon which is fixed an operating lever 8; the interior of the said sleeve 7. see Fig. 4, is formed with a central aperture to receive t-he tapered pin al, and it also has radially cut recesses 9 to permit of the entry of the radial projections 5 ot' the pin7 so that they mayV 'enter into an annular recess 10 in the interior of the sleeve 7, upon which a partial rotation of the sleeve 7. by means of the operating lever 8. will cause the locking of the tapered pin. and the lever S is then Secured in position. It is preferable to make the bore of the sleeve T Fig. 4 on the right hand side of the annular recess 1() slightly smaller in= diameter than the bore on the lett-hand side of the said recess 10 Fig. 4. so as to assist in guiding the pin 4 with the object ot' j'n'eventing injury to the edges ot' the inwardly extending radial parts at the entrance ot' the sleeve. The operating lever 8, which controls thc movements of the sleeve 7. is limited aS regards its angular motion and can be secured in position when 'the two parts are locked together by any suitable means or as hereafter described at the end of the specification.

Instead of forming the sleeve 'i' with an annular recess for receiving the` adial projections 5 of the tapered pin -l. the sleeve' T may be slotted through from end to end as is shown at Fig. 7 and then the lnterior end face otthe sleeve 7 may be used as the support for the faces of the segmental projections In Such a construction it is desirable to have a separate guide igor guiding the tapered pin et into position and holding it firmly to prevent undesirable movement, and for this purpose acollar 11 is inserted in the tubular spar (i in such a position as to act as a guide for the tapered pin.

In. some cases the sleeve 7 may be made to embrace the hollow spar G as shown at Fig. 8 and be formed with a flange 1'2 in which the radially extending separat-ed slots are eut extending .from a central aperture for thepassage of the projections ot' the pin 4. which 'projections 5 then pass behind the flange l2 ot' the sleeve 7. sleeve i' might be fixed permanently or vformed with the end of the spar (i. in which case the pin t with its projections would havel to be so carried at the end of the spar 1 as to be capable of receiving angular movement about its axis. ln some cases andas shown at Fig. 8. the pin 4 may be cylindrical for some part of its lengtlnthe :cylindrical portion being slightly smaller than the,

bore of the collar 11 so as to assist in relieving the angularly extending parts -inlthe flange 12 from abrasion or damage. and also to insure the concentric alinenient of Obviously the the pin 4. It will be clear also that where desired the sleeve 7 may be located on the spar box such as .2. of the. spar 1, and the pin -1 may be attached to the center spar (i. In all cases it has been founddesirable that the part which receives angular adjustment should be rocked by means of an outstanding lever. or by some clearly visible means which indicates at a glance the position of the locking device.

Figs. E) to 12 show a further construction in which the piu -i is formed 'through a part ot' its length with an outstanding' screwthread which is cut away at distances apart in the direction ot' the axis of the pin. so as to leave segmental separated groupsofy vthreads and 'the `end ot'v the spar is formed or fitted at `its end with au inward annular extension or sleeve 7.*also screwthreaded 1n its interior and termed with longitudinal slots to permit of the tree entry ot the groups 5 ot' screwthrezuls of the pin 4 which can then be rigidly engaged with the screwthreads ot' the sleeve. T by angular adjustment of the pin 4.

The pin 4 in the example now dealt with has a head and is passed through a boring in the end ot the spar box or plug and the operating lever S. shown separately at Fig. 11. is so formed that itcan be passed over the end of the pin 4 and secured in position on the pin by brazing or other-,convenient means. so as to provide a device by which the pin 4 can lw'angularly adjusted and its position indicated by ocular evidence. 'Instead of forming a'single set of radial projections on the tapered pin such as the projections 5 of Fig. 1, several rows of such projections may be formed yas will be well understood.

At Fig. 15 is indicated a device for limiting the motion ot' the operating lever and securing it in the locked position. such meansconsisting of a segment 13 tixedwto one ot' the parts. so that the operating lever 8 is limited by the end members 14 of the segment. and the lever itself may be made suiiiciently resilient to spring when lockedinto the recess `15 ot' the said segment 13. instead of making the lever to spring into the segment. it will be well understood that any mechanical locking means may be adopted,l

as for instance ris shown at Fig. 16 where the lever 8 is fitted with a suitable construc-y tion ot spring bolt tor engaging the segment.

'lVhat we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an aeroplane flying machine in which wing spars are divided transversely ot'- their length anddetacl'iably connected lat such division: the combination of a pin projecting coaxially from the end of one spar section. said pin having outstanding projections separated from 011e another circumferentiaily, a socket on the adjacent end of the .y together. anl means other spar section, said socket having a central bore to receive said pin and longitudinal. recessesto permit ot' the entryot `saido'utstanding projections on said pin. means for giving 'relative angular movement pin and socket about their common axisto cause the said projections on said pin to pass angularly beyond said recesses in said socket to lock the parts together. and means Jfor limiting said relative angular in oven'ient and for securing the said parts in thelocked position. l y

2. Inl an aeroplane flying machine vvin ivhicli iving spars are divided transversely ot' their length and detachably connected at such divisioni the combination ot' a `pin projecting coaxially fronrthe en d ot' one spar section. said pin having outstanding projections'sep'arated from one another circumferentially. a tapered portion ot` said pin extending beyond said outstanding projections. a socket on the adjacent end ot' the other spar section` said socket having a central bore to receive said pin and longitudinal `i.ecesses to permit of the entry ot' said out standing projections on said pin. means Jfor giving j'ielative ang'gulail movement to said pin and socket aboutl their common axis to cause the said projections on'said pin to pass angularly beyondsaid recesses in said socket to lock the parts together. and means for limiting said relative angular movement and for securing the said parts iii the locked position.

3. In an aeroplane living machine in which wing spars are divided- .transversely oftheir length and detachabl-y connected at lsuch division: the combination of a pin projecting coaxially tromthe end otone spai section. said pin having outstanding projections separated from one another circumterl ent'i'ally. a socket on the adjacent end otl the other spar section,y sai-d socket having a central bore to receive said pin and longitudinai recesses to permit ot' the entry of said outstanding projections on said pin, meansjtor giving angular movement. to said socket about its axis to cause said projections on said pin to become located angularlyv beyond said recesses in said socket to lock the parts i fonlimiting said angular ino'veiii'ent and for securing the Saidv parts in the locked position.

4. In an aeroplane tiying machine in which Wing spars are divided transversely of their length and detachably.connected at such division: the combination o-a pin p`rojecting coaxially from the end 'of one spar section. said pin having outstanding projections separated t'rom one another circumferentially and a tapered portioniextending bevond said outstanding,projections, a socket ou the adjacent end of the other spar section, means tor securing said socket to said spar section to permit said socket to hive angular tudinal recesses to permit of the entry to said adjustment about its axis relatively thereto, said socket having a central bore and longiof said pin andof saidy outstanding project-ions on said pin, a radially extending arm on said socket tor giving angular adjustment thereto to cause said projections on said pin to.

become located angularly beyond said recesses in said socket to lock the parts togetlier. and means for limiting said angular movement 'and tor securing the said parts in the locked position.4

5j.v 1n an .aeroplane flying machine in ivhicli vving spars are divided transversely of their length 'and detacliably connected 'at such division; the combination ofa pin projecting coaxially from the end otono spar section, saidl having `outstanding projections separatedtrom one another circumi'erentially. the faces of said projections facing the end "ofA the spar section being inclined. a tapered portion ot' the pin extending beyond saidoutst'anding projections, a socket on theadj'acent end of the other. spar section. means for securing said socket to lsaid spar section to permit said socket to have angular adjustment about its axisifela tivel \v thereto, said socket having 'a central bore and longitudinal recesses to permit of I the entiv of said pin and of said outstanding projections on said pin, a .radially extending armfon said socket lforgiving angular adjustment thereto to cause said projections `on said pin to become located angulai-lybeyond said recesses in said socket to lock the parts together, said inclined faces ot said projections coacting with surfaces on said socket to draw said pin into said socken and means for limiting said angular movement for securing the said parts in the locked position.

l o. In an aeroplane flying machine in which wing spars are divided transversely' of their length and detachahly connected at .such division: the combination of a pin prol jecting coaxially from the end ot' one spat` section, said pin having outstanding projections separated from one another circumferei'itially and located at a distance from the end of the spar section carrying said pin, a

socket on the adjacent end of the other spa-i" section, said socketfhaving a central bore and longitudinal recesses to permit of the entryY ot' said outstanding projections on said pin. said bore having said recesses corresponding in length longitudinally to the distance between the end of the pin-carrying spar and the projections on the said pin to permit said projections on said pinpassing beyond said recesses.` means for giving relative angular movement to `said pin and lsocket about their common" axis to cause the said projections on said pinto pass angularly beyond said recesses in said 'socket to lock the parts together, and means for liniisoiting said relative angular movement and for securing the said parts in the locked position.

7. In an aeroplane flying machine in which wing spars are divided transversely ot' their length and deta'chably connected at such division: the combination of a pin projecting coaXially from the end of one spar section. said pin having outstanding projections separated from one another circumferentially and located at a distance from the end of the spar section carrying said pin. an extension of said pin of tapered configuration projecting beyond said outstanding projections thereon, a socket on the adjacent end of the other spar section, said socket having a central bore and longitudinal recesses to permit ot' the entry ot' said pin and ot' said outstanding projections on said pin, said bore having said recesses corresponding in length longitudinally to the distance between the end of the pin-carrying spar and the projections on said pin to permit said projections on said pin passing beyond said recesses, said socket having a space at its rear beyond said recesses to permit of... the angular movement of said projections on said pin, and a guiding collar carried by said spar having said socketv` said guiding collar being located beyond said projections on said pin to receive and guide thetapered end of said pin` means for giving relative angular movement to said pin and socket about their common axis to cause said projections on said pin to pass angularly beyond said recesses in said socket to lock the parts together, and means tor liniiting said relative angular movement and for securing the said parts in the locked position.

In witness whereof we have. hereunto set our hands in the presence. of two witnesses.

HORACE L. SHORT.

ALBERT EUSTACI SHORT.

HUGH OSWALD SHORT.

'itnesses z HHNRY TowNsI-:Nn CoPLANn, WAI/rm FAGAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

